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Alistair Campbell: Alex Ferguson said Franck Ribery ‘wasn’t good enough’ for Manchester United

Spin doctor also reveals his secret role in Sam Allardyce’s first bid for England job

Nick Greenslade

September 24 2017, 12:01am, The Sunday Times

Friends reunited: Alastair Campbell and Sir Alex Ferguson

Sir Alex Ferguson turned down the chance to sign Franck Ribery for Manchester United in 2006 because he did not think the France international was good enough. That is one of several sporting revelations made in the latest batch of diaries published by Tony Blair’s former communications chief Alastair Campbell.

Covering the period 2005 to 2007, the diaries also reveal Campbell’s secret role in Sam Allardyce’s failed bid to secure the England manager’s job in 2006. Campbell knew Ferguson well, the Manchester United manager having come out as a strong supporter of the Blair administration, and the Scot regularly pops up in the diaries, often passing on advice and encouragement to the prime minister’s inner circle.

In February 2006, the pair went to watch Bolton…

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